Translating Practice into Research (TPIR) Trainee Program

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Funded by: The National Institutes of Health

Program Co-Directors: Funded by: Jennifer D. Peck, PhD and Sara K. Vesely, PhD

Contact Information: Program Co-Directors: Jennifer-Peck@ouhsc.edu and Sara-Vesely@ouhsc.edu

What is the goal of the TPIR Trainee Program?

The OSCTR TPIR Trainee Program is a unique one-year (September 2023-August 2024) education and mentoring program for practicing health care professionals, clinical investigators, and basic scientists. It offers a broad and practical curriculum for understanding clinical research methods, research collaborations, and statistical analysis. The goal of the TPIR Trainee Program is to produce a group of clinicians and scientists who have the ability to translate their clinical observations and ideas for improving practice into practical and feasible research projects. By applying for the TPIR program, you agree to participate in all five program components, if accepted.

What is included in the TPIR Trainee Program?

The TPIR program consists of five components:

1. A one-day in-person/virtual workshop on Thursday, November 2, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

2. Ten online education modules

3. Scheduled conference calls with TPIR faculty

4. A one-day in-person/virtual workshop Thursday, May 16th, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

5. A mentored research project

Who should apply?

The following people are encouraged to apply: 1) health care professionals who are interested in conducting clinical research and learning research methods, 2) clinical investigators who are interested in studying practical clinical issues, 3) basic scientists who are interested in learning the fundamental basis for clinical translational research, and 4) community health professionals who are working in a research environment and seeking training in clinical research methods and study design. Applicants must be US Residents who work in NIH IDeA states. Priority will be given to applicants in the OSCTR regions and Tribal employees and Tribal serving organization employees.

How many trainees will be selected?

Up to ten trainees will be accepted in 2023-2024. There is no fee for the TPIR program. Support will be provided for travel and hotel accommodations for both one-day in-person/virtual workshops for only those who live outside the Oklahoma City metropolitan area (if the meeting is in-person).

Timeline

The application deadline is September 22, 2023. 

Trainees will be notified by September 29, 2023.

Online modules/conference calls and a mentored research project from October 2023-September 2024. 

• There will be ten online video stream lectures available between October 2023 and May 2024. We will have eight phone calls to discuss the modules and progress on your mentored research project with one of the TPIR Co-Directors. The online module topics will focus on analyzing medical literature, creating a good research question, epidemiological study designs, the vocabulary of biostatistics, data collection and database development, quantitative methods, ethical issues, and human subject protection.
• Participants will be matched with a methodological mentor who will provide assistance with their research project. Mentoring with a TPIR faculty mentor will include at least five meetings/phone calls. It will continue through August 2024, with the goal of translating the trainee’s protocol into an active, feasible project.

One-day in-person/virtual workshop: Thursday, November 2, 2023.

• The workshop will introduce the TPIR program, the participants, and the faculty. The workshop will include didactic sessions on mentorship and collaborating with a biostatistician. Participants will present a seven- to ten-minute PowerPoint presentation on their research idea. You will also have an opportunity to meet with your methodological mentor.

One-day in-person workshop: Thursday, May 16, 2024.

• The workshop will focus on the foundation, methodologies, and application of patient-oriented clinical research. The workshop will include didactic sessions on grant development and writing, funding opportunities, and campus resources. Participants will further develop their proposed patient-oriented clinical research projects, refining and revising their plans through interaction with faculty and peers. This will culminate in a ten-minute PowerPoint presentation on their research question and proposal. Participants will partake in a focus group to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the TPIR program. This focus group will serve as both an evaluation of the program and a demonstration of qualitative research for the participants.